Meaning of "Other Arms" by Robert Plant

The lyrics of "Other Arms" explore the theme of conflict and the longing for peace in a relationship. The song serves as a plea for reconciliation and a call for open communication. The opening lines, "Lay down your arms, oh, now baby let me sleep at night," evokes a sense of exhaustion and yearning for rest from the constant battling. The repetition of "lay down your arms" throughout the song emphasizes the desire to let go of the weapons they've been using, which metaphorically represent the hurtful words and actions that are causing pain.

The lyrics suggest that the speaker is hurt by the words their partner has been using, leading to feelings of regret and sadness. The line, "Fussing and fighting is leaving me sad, that's not the way it should be," highlights the communication breakdown and the disconnect from the ideal vision of love and harmony. The plea for surrender and release reflects a desire for both parties to let go of their defenses and work towards a resolution. The repeated lines, "If I find a love, oh, if I find a way," express hope for a better future and a willingness to put in the effort to make things right.

The bridge of the song features the chant-like repetition of "she's gone" and expresses the narrator's confusion and desperation in searching for their lost love. The phrases "I'm not a prisoner" signify a desire to break free from the confinement of conflict and the pain of separation. The final lines, "Lay down your arms, child, oh, just lay down your arms," reinforce the plea for peace and suggest that achieving unity and resolution is the key to finding the narrator's lost love.

Overall, "Other Arms" portrays a struggle within a relationship and the longing for a peaceful resolution. It highlights the destructive power of conflict and the need for open communication and vulnerability in order to rebuild and find love again.